Alex Stagnaro-Green picked as next dean at Rockford medical school

ROCKFORD - An experienced doctor, educator and New York native is set to take over as regional dean next month at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford.

Alex Stagnaro-Green's first day will be March 17, pending final approval by U of I trustees.

Stagnaro-Green, 58, has been involved with medical school curriculum and education for 25 years, and his clinical research has involved the thyroid and pregnancy.

"It's an incredible opportunity," he said. "One of my professional goals has always been to be the dean of a small medical school where I can be intimately involved with teaching and the learning culture, students, faculty and staff, and then to become a true partner in a community where the community is integral to the medical school and vice-versa."

Stagnaro-Green succeeds Dr. Martin Lipsky, who ended his run as dean last year and is teaching and living in Oregon. Dr. Mitch King, a professor who worked as the college's associate dean for academic affairs, has been serving as interim dean since March.

Rockford's new regional dean is familiar with the U of I structure: He earned his master's degree in medical education at the Chicago campus. Stagnaro-Green said he has kept in contact with his former colleagues and is excited to work with them again.

He was born in Brooklyn and lived in New York and New Jersey as he was growing up. He graduated in 1983 from Mount Sinai School of Medicine and works as the senior associate dean of curriculum at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, where he is a professor of medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology.

Stagnaro-Green has only spent a few days at a time in Rockford but his initial impression of the campus and the city has been "incredibly positive." His goal is to enhance the college's relationships with local hospitals, businesses and the general community.

"The people were incredibly welcoming and excited to have someone come and bring the community together and make the medical school a real leader in health and community activities," he said.

Stagnaro-Green's wife, Doreen, will be moving to town with him. They have two children, Danny, 28, and Laura, 25.

An endocrinologist by training, Stagnaro-Green enjoys exercise, especially playing racquetball. He also loves to read and travel.